Make a Model Before You Start?

Occasionally when I am branching off into a new design style, or when designing something like a chair that needs to be checked for comfort, I have found it a good idea to make a scale, or even full size model before I begin actual construction. It can be simple or detailed, take five minutes or 3 hours. I have found that neither I nor my customers ever regret the extra time taken for the model making. I have just posted a current design project to my blog http://dorsetcustomfurniture.blogspot.com/2008/05/new-design-project.html and, if you scroll to the bottom of it, links to other related mockup and model making posts.

If you’re about to start a project and are unsure of how it will look in the space, pick a workable scale, say 1/6th or 1/4 depending on the projects actual size and whip up a mini piece. ... Your wife, your firends and your grandkids willl love it, and, you’ll have more confidence regarding your design when you actually build it … Hot glue guns and 23 guage micro pinners are your best friends for this work .... Enjoy…

thanks.. I agree. models make a great deal of sense…especially since it is cheaper to goof on cheap stock before using the good stuff. Not to mention working out an angle or scale for comfort when it is easy and cheap to do.

Those are awesome. It is also a way save a little of your project so you can refer to it after the customer received your item.

When my wife and I were house shopping we found a house plan that we liked but the builder did not have any of the particlar plan constructed. I asked the builder for plans and they sent me small set of scale plans and elevations. I printed them out on card stock paper and after 2 hours of cutting, folding and gluing we were staring at a 6”x6”x6” model of the house with removable roof and 2nd floor. After we saw it in 3d we were sure that this was the home for us and signed the paperwork.